Major airlines urge government to relax new pilot rest norms

Four of the five national airlines, which together account for about 95% of domestic passenger traffic, have approached the government seeking relaxations in the revised crew comfort norms that will come into effect on November 1, 2025, a media report said.

Airlines have argued that the new rules, known as flight duty time limitations (FDTL), may not be sustainable in the long run. The rules were tightened after lengthy litigation led by pilots, who demanded strict limits on working hours and night duty in the interest of passenger safety.

“The airlines have requested some relaxations in the newly imposed FDTL norms. Discussions are on,” an official told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity. He said that this issue was also raised in the Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting on December 17, 2025.

The discussion comes weeks after a major disruption in the aviation sector, when IndiGo faced widespread operational issues between December 3 and 5. A government investigation later found that the airline had failed to adequately address planning gaps and maintain minimum recovery margins despite having almost two years to prepare for the new rules.

IndiGo was given a temporary exemption from FDTL norms till February 10, a move which aviation experts had flagged as a potential security risk. The airline has since been fined a record ₹20.2 crore for operating under the exemption, along with an additional ₹1.8 crore for systemic lapses that led to the disruption, affecting nearly 3 lakh passengers.

The revised FDTL norms significantly tighten the limits on pilot working hours and rest periods. Weekly rest has been continuously increased from 36 to 48 hours, including two full nights on a domestic basis. The definition of night duty has been extended from midnight-5 am to midnight-6 am. Airlines can now assign pilots to only two consecutive night duties, whereas there was no limit previously, while night landings have been limited to two per week, from six previously. Monthly flying time has also been reduced from 125 hours to 100 hours in a 28-day period.

“Airlines have said that the second phase of FDTL rules is not feasible in the long term. However, the government has not taken any decision yet,” another official told HT.

An airline official, speaking anonymously, told HT that all major airlines except SpiceJet and Alliance Air are discussing the issue with the government. Another senior official said the industry supports a review of the norms citing multiple pressures, including airfare caps, geopolitical uncertainties and closure of Pakistan’s airspace. “The new FDTL norms require hiring additional pilots, which increases costs. Relaxations are being discussed in the interest of growth of the sector,” the executive said.